by Ronie Kendig
But watching him embrace his daughter … She choked down the lump rising in her throat. The moment felt painfully familiar. And yet so distant.
He set his daughter on the floor and knelt. “Where’d you go?”
“I told you,” his daughter said. “I went to look at the animals. But you left.” Her face then brightened as she pointed to Piper with a big smile. “I did like you told me, Daddy. I told this lady you were lost. And she found you!”
How this man ever disciplined his adorable daughter, she’d never know. All Piper wanted to do was laugh.
“Well,” he said, glancing at Piper, then back to Mickey as he replaced his black hat. “I guess we should tell the pretty lady thank you.”
Pretty lady?
Mickey nodded. “Yep, or Nana will make us come back to do it.”
Piper choked back a laugh and quickly covered her mouth.
The man rose, towering over her. His presence swallowed the entire aisle between the counters. A deep tan accented eyes born of the sky. Shadows from the rim of his hat skimmed his face and made him appear more mysterious. More handsome.
“I’m sorry about all this. But thank you for keeping her safe.” He offered his hand.
Piper’s heart skipped a beat as she placed her palm against his, surprised at the size and warmth. “It is no problem.” Anxious to hide the jitters swarming her belly, she straightened the girl’s hat. “Mickey and I were just talking. Here,” she said, stepping behind the counter and retrieving a pink-and white-striped bag that held a mirror, a sample lipstick, and perfume from the Maxximum Girl line, extras from a spring promotion. “This is for you, sweetie.”
Mickey’s eyes widened—then darted to her father. “Can I, Daddy?”
He drew up his chest and held a breath, slowly letting it out as he tucked a hand in his pocket, which seemed to emphasize his broad shoulders. “Alright. I s’pose that’ll work.” A small grin tweaked the corners of his lips, drawing a dimple-like line down his cheek. He had a nice smile, one that could put anyone at ease.
“Thanks again.” With that he led his daughter away.
The sight made her heart clench. Father. Daughter. Hand-in-hand. She chewed the inner part of her lip, willing the tears back.
“Bye-bye.” Mickey’s sweet voice snatched Piper from her grief.
She waved. “Bye, sweetie.” And once again, her gaze collided with the girl’s father.
The memory of shaking his hand swept through her. She smiled.
“Who’s the hunk?”
She spun at the voice, startled to find Charmagne, her coworker, donning her pale pink lab coat. “Oh, well, his daughter came to me and said her daddy was lost. Isn’t that the most precious thing you’ve heard?”
“Uh-huh.” Charmagne just looked at her. “I guess they found each other.”
“It was really cute.”
“So is he.”
Piper ignored the comment and returned to organizing the products in the new display box. In so many ways, the little girl reminded her of herself. Her father had always made her recite Bible verses to help tame her tongue and curiosity, but it hadn’t worked. Not really. And Mickey seemed to have a wild streak that rivaled her own. “Again, Lily, what does scripture say?” Even now, his gentle rebuke carried through time and distance, reminding her that physical attraction to a man wasn’t as important as a heart attraction.
But somehow … she sensed Colton Neeley—she’d memorized his name since the first time he’d purchased towels at her counter—had a good heart. Of course, he probably wasn’t steeped in his religion like her father. Few were these days. But the way he treated his daughter, doted over her … how easily he’d called her pretty lady. …
“Wow, what else did he say to make you grin like that?”
Heat infused Piper’s cheeks. “He said nothing.” That was a lie. “He was just concerned about his daughter.” With a smile, she carried the items to the display. Once done, she found herself staring at the bar stool, remembering the precious little blue-eyed girl. Heart heavy, she logged out on the register. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Smart. Hit the food court before the crowds—and maybe that hunk is still out there.”
More heat crawled into Piper’s cheeks. She snapped the tray into place and washed her hands at the small sink.
Charmagne laughed. “You know, Virginia is laden with soldiers, agents, and other government-types. You’re far too pretty to remain here long without a boyfriend.”
“I have my college classes, and that’s enough for now.” She slipped out of the pale pink coat and hung it in the narrow closet. “Bye.”
With her purse slung over her shoulder, she smoothed out her long hair and took a calming breath as she headed to the food court. Charmagne wanted her hooked up. Why, Piper didn’t understand because the woman was miserable in her own marriage. Besides, like Char had said, there were tons of trainees hanging around. They were exactly the types Piper couldn’t afford to get involved with. Which was maybe why the cowboy made her heart skip a beat. His calm demeanor spoke of rock-solid maturity. Something 99 percent of the men she’d encountered didn’t have.
All the same, she had enough stress in her life. Studying. Staying hidden.
The smell of eggrolls and sweet-and-sour chicken wafted thick and heady through a small, fast-food restaurant in the mall. As a matter of fact, too thick. Piper detoured to the pizzeria, enticed by the tomato sauce aroma. She stepped to the counter and ordered a slice of veggie pizza and water.
“Four eighty-three,” the cashier said.
Piper dug into her purse—just as a hand slid past her with a five-dollar bill. She snapped her gaze to its owner.
CHAPTER 2
A quart of oil would’ve pumped faster through his heart. Colton managed a smile. “It’s the least I can do.”
Her caramel eyes peered at him, digging deep into his soul. Piper straightened, brushing her long, silky hair from her tawny face. Her features had wrestled his mind over the last eight months as he tried to pin down her heritage. Almost a Middle-Eastern touch, but with a slightly American aspect. Intriguing.
“That is not necessary,” she said in a quiet, embarrassed voice as she watched the greasy cashier snatch the bill from his hand.
“Yeah, actually it is.” He tucked his fingers in his pockets and leaned against the counter. “See, when I get home, Mickey there will tell her nana what happened back at Hastings. My mother’s interrogation about how I lost my daughter will pale in comparison to her questioning on how I showed you my gratitude.”
Her laughter was natural and light. Nice. Real nice. “Thank you.” She gave a slight nod as a rosy tinge crept into her cheeks.
Dawg. She twisted up his heart and mind in ways that made him wish he’d kept his dealings with her professional—only behind the counter at Hastings. Not here in everyday life where normal things like pimple-faced teens and greasy food amplified her beauty.
“Hey!” Mickey rushed toward them, caught Piper’s hand, and tugged her toward the table. “Come eat with us!”
“McKenna—” Colton moved to intercept his daughter. “Now hold on there. We can’t be intruding on her day any more than we already have.”
“Daddy.” Swiping her bangs from her face, his daughter rolled her
eyes. “She has to eat somewhere.”
“You aren’t intruding,” Piper said with another stop-him-cold smile.
“See?” Mickey led the graceful woman to their table in the corner. It looked right and good the way Mickey took to the woman, natural like the fields welcoming the sun into a new day.
Shaking himself from the thought, he cringed. She’d taken his seat, the one facing the door. The one that kept him alert, able to anticipate sudden noises that could render him a fool. “Sir?”
He jerked toward the employee, who slid a red tray with a slice of vegetarian pizza and a drink across the counter. Vegetarian? What’s the point of a pizza with no meat?
Tray in hand, Colton glanced toward the entrance once more, then pushed himself to the table and placed it in front of Piper.
“Thanks, again,” she said as he eased himself onto the seat across from her.
“My pleasure.” As soon as the words escaped his big mouth, Colton wondered how common courtesies like that took on new, full meanings in her presence. And then that meaning received appreciation with another melt-his-heart smile.
He ran a hand down the back of his neck, wishing he could push off the thoughts as easily so he could eat in peace.
“What’s your name?” Mickey munched a fry, assembly-line style.
“Piper.”
Mickey scrunched her nose, which made Colton wince at what would come out of his daughter’s mouth. “That’s a funny name.”
“It’s different.” Piper agreed as she sipped her drink. “What about yours? Mickey seems more like a name for a mouse.”
“That’s my nickname.”
“Oh, I see. So, what’s your real name?” Smiling, Piper cut through the pizza and used a fork to slide the first piece into her mouth.
“McKenna Margaret Neeley.” She took a bite of her burger, tucking the wad of meat and bread to the side of her mouth like a chipmunk. “My nana’s name before she married Poppa was Margaret McKenna.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Mickey,” Colton said.
“I see. It’s a very pretty name.”
Colton ate quietly, listening to their conversation, surprised Piper endured his daughter’s endless chatter. She had a lilt to her words, almost like an accent. Not only that, but she seemed to talk differently. And she had a way with children, which was good because—well, it just was.
In the store when he’d looked down after buying Mickey a new pair of jeans and discovered her missing, he’d panicked. How fast she could’ve been another missing child case. Where were all his stealthy reconnaissance skills when he needed them most? It reminded him of another time he hadn’t been paying attention—and it had cost a life. Emelie.
Wanting to push the memory back into his past, he glanced over his shoulder and swept the fast-food restaurant with his gaze. Satisfied, he finished off his second slice of pizza, watching the enigmatic woman. He hadn’t intended for her to join them. He felt bad for her, actually, with Mickey’s incessant chatter—a sound he thrived on. Nothing like coming home and hearing the sweet, squeaky voice rattle on. He never tired of it. But … a stranger, someone not used to precocious children, probably felt their ears talked off.
“Darlin’,” he said to Mickey. “It’s time to eat and let Miss—” He popped his gaze to Piper in question. An easy tactic to gain information.
“Blum.”
And she fell for it. “Let Miss Blum eat her lunch, too.”
McKenna pushed up onto her knees and pointed toward the play area the food court straddled. “I’m full, Daddy. Can I play?”
Ditching Piper now would be rude, since they’d all but invited her to eat with them and she still had more than half her food to finish. But this was as good a time as any to bail. “I …” When he glanced at Piper and their gazes locked, he lost the power to think. Despite eight months of watching her, he still found her riveting. Gorgeous caramel eyes. Glowing tawny skin that accented her hair.
Piper tossed down her napkin on her food. “I should return to work anyway.”
His left eye twitched. Something about the way she said that told him she wasn’t being straight with him.
“Yay!” Mickey jumped down and started for the playground.
Afraid to lose her again, Colton started after her. Then remembered Piper. He shifted back around. “Thanks for your help earlier. I ‘precíate it.”
“You’re welcome.” As she pushed from the table, she smiled again. “Thank you again for my lunch.”
He’d pay for anything she wanted him to.
Accursed thoughts. Five years ago, he would’ve invited her out the first time they met. Asked for her number. Gone on a date. Let the night lead where it willed.
Leave before you do something stupid. “Well, I reckon I’ll see you around.”
“I’d like that.” She tucked her head a mite and smiled.
His heart hitched and stuck in his throat. Dawg, his skills hadn’t failed him. He’d been right—she was attracted to him. But he’d have to unearth too many dark secrets to let a woman into his life again.
Ask her out.
He stretched his neck, trying to dislodge the thought. That was the old Colton, the one who didn’t give a rip what happened. He couldn’t go there again.
Turning away had never been so hard. His boots felt like cement had filled them, weighting him with each step. He circled the play area, found a spot, and planted himself on the stone bench with strict orders to keep his eyes to himself.
Disobeying orders, his gaze drifted to her long, graceful form as she cleared the restaurant. When she turned toward him, he averted his gaze, feeling as silly as a schoolboy with his first crush. He removed his hat and brushed the rim. Straightened the band. Anything to keep his disloyal thoughts and eyes out of trouble.
“Mr. Neeley?”
When he glanced up, a thrill rushed through him at the sight of Piper standing beside him. He shoved to his feet, his heart tripping over itself. “Colton. Call me Colton.”
Rosiness filled her face. “Colton.” The silky softness of the way she said his name tied his mind in knots. She held out the little striped bag she’d given Mickey at Hastings. “I found this on McKenna’s chair.”
“Thank you. There’d be crocodile tears once she figured out it was missing.”
“Well …” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I should get back to work.” As she walked away, he was riveted to the bounce of her sandy blond hair. Why hadn’t he asked her out? What if God had given him that opportunity right there to open the doors to …
The idea was all he needed. “Hey, what if …” he called after her. When she spun toward him, expectation in her beautiful eyes, he realized he’d lost his mind. But how did he recover from the hope he saw in her expression? “Maybe we could catch dinner or a movie sometime.”
What are you doing, Cowboy?
Did she have to smile like that? His legs went weak.
“I would like that. Here—” She drew a card out of her purse and scribbled on the back, before handing it to him. “If you can’t reach me at home, well … you know where to find me. Or if you need more towels.”
Surprise jabbed him at the obvious taunt. He paused as a slow grin plowed into his face. Had she figured him out, that he’d been shopping in that fancy store just to see her? “I think we’re stocked good on towels now.”
She chuckled. “You should be.” She was teasing him.
“We got a lot of bathrooms back at the ranch.”
“Probably goes well with the luggage set.”
His chest puffed up. “We travel.”
This time, she laughed full out. And so did he. His cover had been blown.
“Daddy, watch!” McKenna shouted from the playground.
“I’d better go.” She turned but kept her gaze over her shoulder. “Bye, Colton.”
Mouth dry and brain dead, he gave a curt nod. What have I done? What was he thinking, stepping over his self-imposed line?
Too many things. What woman wanted a damaged Marine like him? And then there was the niggling feeling he had, things that snagged his instincts—instincts that had been dulled as his attraction took over.
He narrowed his eyes.
She was intelligent and spoke with proper English. Almost too proper—look at the way she ate pizza for pity’s sake!
“Daddy!”
He pulled himself around and caught sight of McKenna as she slid down the tall slide, then leapt to her feet as if she’d dismounted the thing.
“Ta-da!”
He applauded her, then motioned her over. “Mickey, let’s go, darlin’.”
/> In his dualie, he buckled her into the booster seat and climbed behind the wheel. With one last glance at Hastings, he began the forty-minute trip home. Mickey quickly dropped off to sleep, affording him time to organize his thoughts and responses to his mother. Between her and Mickey, he had enough estrogen streaming through his life to know she’d demand an explanation. No matter how much he tried to convince himself he shouldn’t call Piper for a date, that he should dismiss her from his life, his mind lingered on the beautiful woman.
Piper Blum.
Why was she sad? He’d seen the look when he and Mickey left the store before lunch. He’d almost swear there were tears in her eyes. She carried herself with poise that spoke of prominence and privilege. Then again, the clothes she wore didn’t bear witness to a wealthy upbringing.
Hiding something. Keeping secrets buried tightly beneath the lid of composure.
Just like me.
Blum. A German-Jewish name. Of course, her conservative nature that he admired could be because she was Jewish—that might explain the veggie pizza because she couldn’t eat pork sausage. Was his mind reaching too far with that one?
He blinked. Ten minutes out from the house, and he’d done nothing but think about Piper Blum. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. “Rein it in, Cowboy!”
“What’s wrong, Daddy?”
He glanced in the rearview mirror and found his sleepy daughter looking out the window, rubbing her eyes. “Nothing.” He steered onto the dirt road to the house. Almost as soon as the crunching under the tires pervaded the interior, Mickey squealed, spotting his parents on the front porch.
His father met him as Colton stepped from the truck and shut the door. “Did you get the table for your mother?”
“Yessir.” Colton let down the tailgate and dragged the large box from the bed while his mother retrieved Mickey from the backseat of his dualie. “Ya know, I have no idea why she wants an assembly-required table when you can make one twice as nice for her.”